Thanks for coming by. My name is Cole and I listen carefully and ask questions, write words down and tell stories for a living. Sometimes I say things out loud on the radio. Whether I’m working as a writer, broadcaster, storyteller, speaker or coach it’s all about trying to connect with people, exploring together what it means to be human.
Those are the themes of my new book Everything Is Extraordinary (Hodder), a set of true short stories about encounters with remarkable women and men. Some of them are incredibly famous like Scarlett Johansson, Tiger Woods and Her Majesty The Queen, while others out of the limelight have great insights or experiences to share.
As a speaker I deliver keynote talks and workshops that draw on the lessons learned in these encounters, equipping leaders and teams to listen deeply, understand profoundly and connect authentically. This leads to stronger teams, better leaders and clients who just keep coming back.
I was Interviewer of the Year at the Press Awards for my work with the Mail and have been shortlisted again this year. I was executive editor of the Independent on Sunday and have written for the Guardian, the Telegraph and the Financial Times, among others.
My BBC Radio 4 series The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away won gold at the Arias, the radio industry Oscars. I’m a regular contributor to the Zoe Ball breakfast show on Radio 2, telling stories and giving a pause for thought for a live audience of more than seven million people.
Personally, I’m proud to have been born a working class East Ender and grateful to be the father of four splendid adult humans. I live on the South Coast, where I sing with a band called The Light Keepers and spend as much time as possible staring out to sea.
If any of this resonates with you I would love to hear about it, so do please have a look around and get in touch. Thanks.